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10 2005

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005

Chapter 2

Enforcement

Authorisation of inspectors.

62. —(1) The Authority or a person prescribed under section 33 may authorise such and so many persons as the Authority or person considers appropriate to be inspectors for the purposes of the enforcement of all or any of the relevant statutory provisions within the relevant area of responsibility in accordance with section 33 or 34, as the case may be.

(2) (a) An inspector shall be furnished with a certificate of authorisation as an inspector.

(b) When exercising a power conferred on him or her by this section, an inspector shall, if requested by a person affected, produce the certificate of authorisation or a copy of it to that person and a form of personal identification.

(3) An authorisation under this section shall cease when the Authority or a person prescribed under section 33 , as the case may be, revokes the authorisation.

(4) Notwithstanding the repeal of the Act of 1989 by section 4 , an inspector authorised immediately before the commencement of that section under section 33 of the Act of 1989 continues to be an inspector as if authorised under this section.

Medical examinations.

63. —(1) The Authority or a person prescribed under section 33 may designate in writing any person, including an inspector, who is a registered medical practitioner to receive any notice, report or certificate required by any of the relevant statutory provisions to be sent to the Authority or a person prescribed under section 33 by a registered medical practitioner, and any person so designated may—

(a) invite any person who, in his or her opinion, either has been or may be exposed in the course of his or her work to any risk of personal injury or other danger to his or her health, and

(b) for the purpose of comparing with that of other persons the state of health of persons employed in different places of work or specified places of work or in different places in the same place of work, invite any person,

to provide biological samples or to be examined medically, or both, at such place as the person so designated shall designate, either by him or her or on his or her behalf or by or on behalf of such other registered medical practitioner as he or she shall specify.

(2) References in the relevant statutory provisions to “occupational medical adviser” shall be read as references to persons designated under this section.

Powers of inspectors.

64. —(1) An inspector shall, for the purposes of the relevant statutory provisions have power to do any one or more of the following:

(a) subject to subsection (5), at any time enter any place—

(i) which he or she has reasonable grounds for believing is used as a place of work,

(ii) in which he or she has reasonable grounds for believing that articles or substances or records are kept, or

(iii) to which the relevant statutory provisions apply,

and inquire into, search, examine and inspect that place and any work activity, installation, process or procedure at that place which is subject to the relevant statutory provisions and any such articles, substances or records to ascertain whether the relevant statutory provisions have been or are being complied with and for those purposes take with him or her and use any equipment or materials required for those purposes;

(b) direct that that place or any part of that place and anything in that place be left undisturbed for so long as is reasonably necessary for the purpose of any search, examination, investigation, inspection or inquiry under the relevant statutory provisions;

(c) direct that a safety statement be amended in accordance with section 20 (5)(c);

(d) require the employer, any employee, the owner or person in charge of the place to produce to the inspector any records and in the case of such information in a non-legible form to reproduce it in a legible form and to give to the inspector such information as the inspector may reasonably require in relation to any entries in those records;

(e) inspect and take copies of or extracts from any such records or any electronic information system at the place, including in the case of information in a non-legible form, copies of or extracts from such information in a permanent legible form or require that such copies be provided;

(f) require a person by whom or on whose behalf a computer is or has been used to produce or store records or any person having charge of, or otherwise concerned with the operation of the computer, to afford the inspector all reasonable assistance in relation thereto;

(g) remove and retain the records (including documents stored in a non-legible form) and copies taken and detain the records for such period as the inspector reasonably considers to be necessary for further examination or until the conclusion of any legal proceedings;

(h) require that records be maintained for such period of time as may be reasonable;

(i) require the employer, any employee, the owner or person in charge of the place to give to the inspector any information that the inspector may reasonably require for the purposes of any search, examination, investigation, inspection or inquiry under the relevant statutory provisions;

(j) require the employer, owner, any person in charge of the place or any employee to give to the inspector such assistance and facilities within the person's control or responsibilities as are reasonably necessary to enable the inspector to exercise any of his or her powers under the relevant statutory provisions;

(k) summon, at a time and place specified by written notice to the person concerned, the employer, any employee, the owner or person in charge of the place to give to the inspector any information which the inspector may reasonably require in relation to the place, any article or substance, work activity, installation or procedure at the place, and to produce to the inspector any records that are in that person's power or control;

(l) subject to subsection (9), examine any person whom the inspector reasonably believes to be able to give information relevant to any search, examination, investigation, inspection or inquiry under the relevant statutory provisions and require the person to answer such questions as the inspector may put relative to the search, examination, investigation, inspection or inquiry and to sign a declaration of the truth of the answers;

(m) require that any article be operated or set in motion or that a procedure be carried out that may be relevant to any search, examination, investigation, inspection, or inquiry under the relevant statutory provisions;

(n) take any measurements or photographs or make any tape, electrical or other recordings which the inspector considers necessary for the purposes of any search, examination, investigation, inspection or inquiry under the relevant statutory provisions;

(o) where appropriate, install, use and maintain in, at or on the place monitoring instruments, systems and seals for the purposes of the relevant statutory provisions;

(p) there, or at any other place, carry out, or have carried out, such testing, examination or analysis of any article or substance found at the place, as he or she reasonably considers to be necessary, and for that purpose require the employer or owner or person in charge of the place to supply to the inspector without charge any article or substance or samples thereof, or remove any article, substance or samples thereof, for such testing, examination or analysis;

(q) cause any article or substance found at the place which appears to the inspector to be or to have been a risk to safety or health, to be dismantled or subjected to any process or test in accordance with paragraph (p) (but not so as to damage or destroy it unless this is in the circumstances necessary for the purposes of the relevant statutory provisions) and where an inspector proposes to exercise the power conferred by this paragraph in the case of an article or substance found at any place, he or she shall, if so requested by the employer, owner or person in charge of the place, cause anything which is to be done by virtue of that power to be done in the presence of that person;

(r) take samples of the atmosphere in any place of work;

(s) in relation to any article or substance found at the place in accordance with paragraph (q), to remove and retain it for such period as is necessary for all or any of the following purposes, namely:

(i) to examine or arrange for the examination of it and do to it anything which he or she has power to do under paragraph (q);

(ii) to ensure that it is not tampered with before the examination of it is completed;

(iii) to ensure that it is available for use as evidence in any proceedings;

(t) exercise such other powers as may be necessary for carrying out his or her functions.

(2) Where an article or substance is used at work, and a request is made in that behalf by an inspector in the course of a search, examination, investigation, inspection or inquiry, the employer shall give to the inspector the name and address of the supplier from whom the article or substance was purchased or otherwise obtained.

(3) Before exercising the power conferred by subsections (1)(p) and (q) in the case of any article or substance, an inspector shall, in so far as it is practicable to do so, consult such persons as appear to him or her to be appropriate for the purpose of ascertaining what dangers, if any, there may be in doing anything which he or she proposes to do under that power.

(4) Where under the power conferred by subsection (1)(s) an inspector takes possession of any article or substance found at or in any place of work, he or she shall if it is practicable for him or her to do so, take a sample thereof and give to a responsible person at the place of work a portion of the sample marked in a manner sufficient to identify it.

(5) An inspector shall not enter a dwelling other than—

(a) with the consent of the occupier, or

(b) in accordance with a warrant from a District Court issued under subsection (7) authorising such entry.

(6) Where an inspector in the exercise of his or her powers under this section is prevented from entering any place, an application may be made to the District Court for a warrant under subsection (7) authorising such entry.

(7) Without prejudice to the powers conferred on an inspector by or under any other provision of this section, if a judge of the District Court is satisfied on the sworn information of an inspector that there are reasonable grounds for believing that—

(a) there are any articles or substances being used in a place of work or any records (including documents stored in a non-legible form) or information, relating to a place of work, that the inspector requires to inspect for the purposes of the relevant statutory provisions, held in, at or on any place or any part of any place, or

(b) there is, or such an inspection is likely to disclose, evidence of a contravention of the relevant statutory provisions,

the judge may issue a warrant authorising an inspector, accompanied by such other inspectors or such other competent persons as may be appropriate or members of the Garda Síochána as may be necessary, at any time or times, within one month from the date of issue of the warrant, on production of the warrant if requested, to enter the place, if need be by reasonable force, and perform the functions conferred on an inspector by or under the relevant statutory provisions.

(8) An inspector, where he or she has reasonable cause to apprehend any serious obstruction in the execution of his or her duty or otherwise considers it necessary, may be accompanied by a member of the Garda Síochána or any other person authorised by the Authority, when performing any functions conferred on an inspector by or under the relevant statutory provisions.

(9) No person is required on examination or inquiry under this section to give any answer or information tending to incriminate that person.

(10) Where an inspector upon reasonable grounds believes that a person has committed an offence under the relevant statutory provisions he or she may require that person to provide him or her with his or her name and the address at which he or she ordinarily resides.

Directions for improvement plan.

65. —(1) Where an inspector is of the opinion that there is occurring or likely to occur any activity which involves or is likely to involve a risk to the safety, health or welfare of persons, he or she may give a written direction to the employer concerned requiring submission to him or her of an improvement plan.

(2) A direction given under subsection (1) shall—

(a) identify the activity which is or is likely to be a risk,

(b) require the submission to the inspector, within a period of one month, of an improvement plan specifying the remedial action proposed to be taken,

(c) require the employer to implement the plan, and

(d) include any other requirements that the inspector considers necessary.

(3) Where there is a safety representative in a place of work in respect of which a direction is given under subsection (1), the inspector shall give a copy of the direction to the safety representative.

(4) Within one month of receipt of an improvement plan submitted under subsection (2), an inspector, by written notice to the person who submitted the plan—

(a) shall confirm whether or not he or she is satisfied that the plan is adequate, or

(b) may direct that the plan be revised as specified in the notice and resubmitted to the inspector within a period specified in the notice.

Improvement notice.

66. —(1) An inspector who is of the opinion that a person—

(a) is contravening or has contravened any of the relevant statutory provisions, or

(b) has failed to comply with a direction under section 65 (1) to submit an improvement plan or, in the case of a notice under section 65 (4)(b), a revised improvement plan, or has failed to implement the improvement plan or revised improvement plan,

may serve a written notice (in this Act referred to as an “improvement notice”) on the person who has or may reasonably be presumed to have control over the work activity concerned.

(2) An improvement notice shall—

(a) state that the inspector is of the opinion referred to in subsection (1),

(b) state the reasons for that opinion,

(c) identify the relevant statutory provision in respect of which that opinion is held,

(d) specify the reasons why he or she is of that opinion,

(e) direct the person to remedy the contravention or the matters occasioning that notice by a date specified in the notice, that shall not be earlier than the end of the period within which an appeal may be made under subsection (7),

(f) include information regarding the making of an appeal under subsection (7),

(g) include any other requirement that the inspector considers appropriate, and

(h) be signed and dated by the inspector.

(3) An improvement notice may include directions as to the measures to be taken to remedy any contravention or matter to which the notice relates or to otherwise comply with the notice.

(4) Where there is a safety representative in a place of work in respect of which an improvement notice is served under subsection (1), the inspector shall give a copy of the improvement notice to the safety representative and inform the safety representative in writing where an improvement notice is withdrawn under subsection (11).

(5) A person on whom an improvement notice has been served who is of the opinion that the improvement notice has been complied with shall confirm in writing to the inspector that the matters referred to in the notice have been so remedied and shall give a copy of the confirmation to the safety representative, if any.

(6) Where a person on whom an improvement notice has been served confirms in writing to the inspector in accordance with subsection (5) that the matters referred to in the improvement notice have been remedied, the inspector shall, on being satisfied that the matters have been so remedied, within one month of receipt of such confirmation, give written notice to the person concerned of compliance with the improvement notice.

(7) A person aggrieved by an improvement notice may, within 14 days beginning on the day on which the notice is served on him or her, appeal in the prescribed manner against the notice to a judge of the District Court in the district court district in which the notice was served in the prescribed manner and, in determining the appeal the judge may, if he or she is satisfied that it is reasonable to do so, confirm, vary or cancel the notice.

(8) A person who appeals under subsection (7) shall at the same time notify the Authority or the person prescribed under section 33 , as the case may be, of the appeal and the grounds for the appeal and the Authority or the person prescribed under section 33 shall be entitled to appear, be heard and adduce evidence on the hearing of the appeal.

(9) Where an appeal under subsection (7) is taken, and the notice is not cancelled, the notice shall take effect on the later of—

(a) the day next following the day on which the notice is confirmed on appeal or the appeal is withdrawn, or

(b) the day specified in the notice.

(10) Where there is no appeal under subsection (7), the notice shall take effect on the later of—

(a) the end of the period for making an appeal, or

(b) the day specified in the notice.

(11) An inspector may—

(a) withdraw an improvement notice at any time, or

(b) where no appeal is made or pending under subsection (7), extend the period specified under subsection (2)(e).

Prohibition notice.

67. —(1) Where an inspector is of the opinion that at any place of work there is occurring or is likely to occur any activity (whether by reference to any article or substance or otherwise) which involves or is likely to involve a risk of serious personal injury to any person, the inspector may serve a written notice (in this Act referred to as a “prohibition notice”) on the person who has or who may reasonably be presumed to have control over the activity concerned.

(2) A prohibition notice shall—

(a) state that the inspector is of the opinion referred to in subsection (1),

(b) state the reasons for that opinion,

(c) specify the activity in respect of which that opinion is held,

(d) where in his or her opinion the activity involves a contravention, or likely contravention, of any of the relevant statutory provisions, specify the relevant statutory provision,

(e) prohibit the carrying on of the activity concerned until the matters which give rise or are likely to give rise to the risk are remedied, and

(f) be signed and dated by the inspector.

(3) A prohibition notice may include directions as to the measures to be taken to remedy any contravention or matter to which the notice relates or to otherwise comply with the notice.

(4) Where there is a safety representative in a place of work in respect of which a prohibition notice is served under subsection (1), the inspector shall give a copy of the prohibition notice to the safety representative and inform the safety representative in writing where a prohibition notice is withdrawn under subsection (12).

(5) A prohibition notice shall take effect—

(a) immediately the notice is received by the person on whom it is served, or

(b) where an appeal is taken, on the later of the day next following the day on which the notice is confirmed on appeal or the appeal is withdrawn or the day specified in the notice.

(6) The bringing of an appeal against a prohibition notice which is to take effect in accordance with subsection (5) shall not have the effect of suspending the operation of the notice but the appellant may apply to the court to have the operation of the notice suspended until the appeal is disposed of and, on such application, the court may, if it thinks proper to do so, direct that the operation of the notice be suspended until the appeal is disposed of.

(7) A person aggrieved by a prohibition notice may, within 7 days beginning on the day on which the notice is served on him or her, appeal in the prescribed manner against the notice to a judge of the District Court in the district court district in which the notice was served and in determining the appeal the judge may, if he or she is satisfied that it is reasonable to do so, confirm, vary or cancel the notice.

(8) Where, on the hearing of an appeal under this section, a prohibition notice is confirmed, notwithstanding subsection (5), the judge by whom the appeal is heard may, on the application of the appellant, suspend the operation of the notice for such period as in the circumstances of the case the judge considers appropriate.

(9) A person who—

(a) appeals under subsection (7), or

(b) applies for a direction suspending the application of a prohibition notice under subsection (8),

shall at the same time notify the Authority or a person prescribed under section 33 , as the case may be, of the appeal or the application and the grounds for the appeal or the application and the Authority or the person prescribed under section 33 shall be entitled to appear, be heard and adduce evidence on the hearing of the appeal or the application.

(10) A person on whom a prohibition notice has been served who is of the opinion that the matters referred to in the notice have been remedied by the date specified in the notice shall confirm in writing to the inspector that those matters have been so remedied and shall give a copy of the confirmation to the safety representative, if any.

(11) Where a person on whom a prohibition notice has been served confirms in writing to the inspector in accordance with subsection (10) that the matters referred to in the prohibition notice have been remedied, the inspector shall, on being satisfied that the matters have been so remedied, within one month of receipt of such confirmation, give written notice to the person concerned of compliance with the prohibition notice.

(12) An inspector may at any time withdraw a prohibition notice by written notice to the person on whom it was served where—

(a) the inspector is satisfied that the activity to which the notice relates no longer involves a risk of serious personal injury to any person, or

(b) the inspector is satisfied that the notice was issued in error or is incorrect in some material respect.

(13) The withdrawal of a notice under subsection (12) has effect when the notice of withdrawal is given to the person on whom the prohibition notice was served.

(14) The withdrawal of a notice under this section does not prevent the service of any other prohibition notice.

Contravention of prohibition notice — application to High Court.

68. —(1) Where a prohibition notice has been served under section 67 and activities are carried on in contravention of the notice, the High Court may, on the application of an inspector, by order prohibit the continuance of the activities.

(2) An application to the High Court for an order under subsection (1) may be ex parte and the Court, when considering the matter, may make such interim or interlocutory order (if any) as it considers appropriate, and the order by which an application under this subsection is determined may contain such terms and conditions (if any) regarding the payment of costs that the Court considers appropriate.

Notices to be displayed.

69. —Where an improvement notice or a prohibition notice is served, the person to whom it is addressed shall on receipt of the notice—

(a) bring the notice to the attention of any person whose work is affected by the notice, and

(b) display the notice or a copy of the notice in a prominent place at or near any place of work, article or substance affected by the notice.

Investigations and special reports.

70. —(1) Without prejudice to this Chapter and subject to subsection (6), the Authority may at any time direct any of its staff or any other competent person as it considers appropriate to—

(a) investigate the causes and circumstances surrounding any accident, incident, personal injury, occurrence or situation or any other matter related to the general purposes of this Act, and

(b) make a report (in this Act referred to as a “special report”) of the investigation to the Authority.

(2) A person, who is not an inspector, carrying out an investigation under this section shall, for the purposes of the investigation, have all the powers of an inspector under this Act.

(3) In the case of a person directed to carry out an investigation and make a special report under subsection (1) (other than a member of the staff of the Authority), the Authority may pay to the person such fees and expenses as the Minister may determine with the approval of the Minister for Finance.

(4) The Authority may, to the extent that the Minister may determine, discharge the costs, other than those incurred under subsection (3), if any, incurred in the preparation of a special report.

(5) A copy of a special report made under subsection (1) shall be presented to the Minister as soon as practicable and the Authority may cause the report to be made public in such manner as it considers appropriate.

(6) The Authority in discharging its functions under subsection (1) shall not, save with the consent of the Minister given with the concurrence of any other Minister of the Government that he or she considers appropriate, investigate, examine or inquire into any of the following—

(a) an accident within the meaning of the Air Navigation (Notification and Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Regulations 1997 (S.I. No. 205 of 1997),

(b) a rail accident, or

(c) a marine casualty (within the meaning of the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000 ).

Order of High Court as to use of place of work.

71. —(1) Where the Authority or a person prescribed under section 33 , as the case may be, considers that the risk to the safety, health or welfare of persons is so serious that the use of a place of work or part of a place of work should be restricted or immediately prohibited until specified measures have been taken to reduce the risk to a reasonable level, the Authority or the person prescribed under section 33 may apply, ex parte, to the High Court for an order restricting or prohibiting the use of the place of work or part of a place of work accordingly.

(2) The Court may make any interim or interlocutory order that it considers appropriate.

(3) Any order made by the Court under this section shall have effect notwithstanding the terms of any permission given under any other enactment for the use of the place of work or part of the place of work to which the application under this section relates.

(4) On an application by any person for the revocation or variation of an order under subsection (1), the Authority or a person prescribed under section 33 , as appropriate, shall be entitled to be heard.